Legendary queer icons such as Marsha P Johnson and Freddie Mercury sit alongside lesser known but equally important names such as activist Renée Cafiero, blood donor Barbara Vick, and Sappho the lesbian poet (who was doing her thing in 570BC). All have contributed amazing achievements to the LGBTQ+ story. Each month also features one ally - inspiring heterosexual people who have all contributed something significant to the lives of the LGBTQ+ community. People like Elizabeth Taylor who “brought AIDS out of the closet and into the ballroom – where there was money to be raised”.
Lewis Laney says, “The reasons people are featured in this book are wide-ranging. Some are tied to one specific, notable act that is integral to our history. Many have spent their lives fighting for the rights of LGBTQ+ people, while others have excelled in their fields and made outstanding contributions to society and just happen to be queer. The allies included in this book have all contributed something significant to the lives of LGBTQ+ people too. I can’t fit them all in the book, but we are grateful they are by our sides. The stories of women, people of colour and the financially underprivileged are also often under-recorded however I strived to make this list as diverse as possible. The LGBTQIA+ acronym has grown to encompass more and more letters over the years, and you'll find it used in various forms throughout the book. When using my own voice, I've gone with a commonly used standard (LGBTQ+) - but every letter is celebrated here!”
